OS : Sunflower Chronicles

He was her sun. She remembered it all.

She remembered him smiling down at her, his arms woven protectively around her waist as she bent backwards, onto the flower strewn Kaas Plateau, her eyes laughing at the clear blue crispy wintry sky. Her hair felt alive as it danced in the wind, as he twirled her around, his feet planted firmly on terra firma. The flowers seemed to be laughing too; they seemed to be infused with the happiness and love they felt exuding from the couple.

...

Several years back

It was Karan's birthday that day. Ragini had promised Dimpy and Karan that she would prepare a special Lunch for Karan, who was a dear friend. She had been busy in the kitchen, preparing food.

She knew the moment Nachiket woke up. He had sneezed his morning through. He and his sneezes' Ragini thought amusedly, as she flitted around the kitchen. It being a Sunday, Nachiket would be home and she knew from experience, that he was going to prove to be a major distraction. Ragini colored a bit but then she laughed happily at the belief that he loved her so much.

She had wanted to finish off the dishes before Karan arrived. The two couples had actually planned to visit a friend's bungalow somewhere off the Kaas Plateau, a place synonymous with acres and acres of flowers of all varieties growing all around. She was excited about the visit and looked forward to spending happy moments with her friends. And of course, Nachiket.

...

Nachiket's hands searched for Ragini as he sneezed again. His eyes were still closed. He didn't want to leave the warm cocoon of his bed. He could faintly hear the sweet chiming off her anklets as his consciousness slowly reworked it's way out of a haze. He was already missing her in his arms. To make matters worse, it was a Sunday - the only day when he could afford waking up a little late, and also spend some quality time with his wife, without bothering much about time schedules.

...

Ragini was busy washing fruits when she felt a pair of strong hands engulf her from behind. She smiled and leant back into his warmth, feeling his stubble graze her right cheek lightly as he bent slightly to nuzzle her further. His breath smelt of mint and something uniquely Nachiket. Ragini smiled indolently.

Suddenly, the whistle of the pressure cooker jolted them back to reality.

Ragini pushed Nachiket away and teased him in good humour And Good Morning to you as well, Kitten. Do you remember that Karan and Dimpy are coming over for Lunch today? I hope you haven't forgotten that today is Karan's Birthday and that we have also planned to go visit your friend's place. Why don't you go and take a shower and get ready? Meanwhile, I will finish cooking'.

But Nachiket had other plans - he wasn't someone to back out of a war. He had smiled impishly and had turned away. Ragini busied herself in the kitchen once again, after a while she heard Nachiket call out from the washroom

Ragini, sweetheart, I forgot to bring my towel. I will be dripping water all over otherwise'

Nachiket, Nachiket' Ragini muttered under her breath as she quickened her pace towards the washroom. So forgetful'.

She was in a hurry. Karan and Dimpy would reach in an hour's time; she had yet to finish her cooking and also get ready.

But her plans stayed unfulfilled anyway. Before she could even manage to hand over the towel properly, Nachiket had pulled her inside and closed the door decisively behind them, his eyes glinting dangerously all the while. Her protest was drowned effectively in his kiss. Between kisses, he whispered This is for calling me Kitten'

Some time later

Nachiket placed his coffee cup on the table as he walked towards the door. The doorbell announced the arrival of Dimpy and Karan. Nachiket was genuinely happy to meet them and was looking forward to the trip. However, what has got him grinning was his irate wife in their bedroom getting ready. Ragini had not spoken to him for the past half an hour or so and it amused him to no ends.

Inside the bedroom, Ragini fumed as she applied gloss. That nerve of a man', she thought. She was pretty embarrassed that due to her husband's wily ways, the Lunch was half ready and was definitely not in any edible stage. They would now have to rush for Lunch somewhere outside, before going for the long drive. She was mad at her husband but kept quiet, she didn't want to mess up Karan's Birthday, now that she had failed to fulfill her promise to Karan.

She could hear Karan and Dimpy laughing at something Nachiket was saying; she could make out his throaty laugh as well. And she wanted to kill him for putting her in a spot. He was getting increasingly difficult to handle, Ragini sighed at the thought.

...

Karan looked up as Ragini entered the living room. Hey Ragini', he greeted her and pulled her in a warm hug. Then he turned towards Nachiket and said C'mon buddy, you can be less jealous today. It's my Birthday. So, I do get to hug your pretty wife who happens to be my friend as well. And I am damn sure you have forgotten to buy any gift for me, as usual. Also, you guys have no food', Karan continued, now turning towards Ragini.

Dimpy rolled her eyes in amusement as Ragini mumbled an apology, red-faced. Nachiket added My wife was so excited about the Lunch today that we managed to burn it. Totally.' Ragini wanted to slap him hard.

Dimpy came to her rescue and put an arm around Ragini protectively Oh come on. All these things happen. Why don't we all go for an early Lunch so that we can hit the road sooner?"

She winked at Karan who jumped at the offer, always willing to listen to his dear wife.

Thanks' Ragini whispered to Dimpy as she hurried inside to pick up her purse.

She turned around to find Nachiket standing at the door of their bedroom, taking in her actions. He looked dapper in a navy blue tee and black jeans.

...

Nachiket knew that Ragini was upset.

She has no idea how cute she looks when she is update. Her nose turns red', he thought. She wore a pale yellow floral printed dress and looked as pretty as a flower.

...

Ragini was in no mood to speak to him; she tried to skirt around him and exit the room, but Nachiket was quicker. He grasped her chin lightly and swooped down for a kiss. Ragini tried to wriggle out of his grasp and pushed at his chest. Unsuccessfully though. He let her go, albeit reluctantly and laughed aloud when he heard Ragini cursing under her breath, and making a dash out of the room. Ragini cursing was the cutest thing that he had heard till date.

Nachiket opened a drawer and picked up a scarf randomly. Ragini would need it very soon. The journey today is indeed going to be memorable', he chuckled as he exited their apartment.

...

The drive to the restaurant was uneventful, except for Dimpy leaning in towards Ragini and pointing at the reddish patch towards the bottom of the column of her throat. Ragini turned beetroot red, as Dimpy patted Ragini benevolently.

Nachiket simply turned towards the back seat and handed the scarf over to Ragini without saying a word.

I thought you would need this' he said. His eyes however danced in unconcealed merriment. Ragini wanted to strangle him there and then; she however turned her face away and looked outside. Her eyes watered in embarrassment and she blinked her tears away.

...

Lunch was a brief affair as Karan fooled around to make up for Ragini's near silence.

Nachiket and Dimpy were also in their elements; Ragini smiled at them half mindedly and concentrated on eating.

Though Nachiket was thoroughly enjoying the conversation with his friends; yet his mind was fixed on his wife. He realized that she was just pushing her food around and was feebly trying to participate. He felt bad for embarrassing her thoroughly in front of their friends, and knew that he would have to make serious amends.

Ragini, Ragini' he called as they left the restaurant and walked towards the parking lot. He quickened his pace and grasped her arm. I am sorry.'

She looked up at him angrily and said Sorry for what? For giving me a damn hickey? For not telling me about it when we were leaving the house? I don't want to speak to you now'.

She had removed his hand from her arm and walked away. A few minutes later, she saw Nachiket with Karan talking animatedly about something. A few minutes later, the seating arrangement in the car was reversed irrevocably.

...

The drive to the Kaas Plateau was pleasant.

Ragini looked out of the window as the landscape flew by her. Beside her, Nachiket was leaning on to her side of the window and trying to explain the topography and other stuff, that didn't matter at all. The more Ragini had tried to move away from him, thus ending up nearly bundled up against the car door, the more he had found reasons to fall over her every time the car hit a bump or a rock.

Ragini wanted to scream. But she realized that with time, her traitorous heart was also finding his presence extremely pleasurable, though her head was in a serious conflict.

Realising that her resistance was slowly but steadily giving way, Nachiket had sidled up to her after a while, his eyes pleading forgiveness.

From the front seat, Karan guffawed Nachi, you will now push Ragini out of the car. Thank God, I ensured that the doors are centrally locked'.

Dimpy joined in as she looked back at her dear friends, who were now grinning as well.

She smiled at Karan and then laid her head on his shoulder.

Karan joked further - Oye Dimpy, now I will drive the car straight into a ditch. Please behave'.

Both Nachiket and Ragini laughed out aloud at their antics, while their fingers intertwined.

Ragini's carefree laugh had warmed the cockles of Nachiket's heart. He had then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

...

The view that had greeted them on their arrival to the plateau was spell binding. They stood speechless for some time, looking all around while taking in the beauty and colourscape of the place. Wherever they looked, their eyes were met with a blinding riot of colours, of dancing flowers - millions and millions of them.

Ragini had grasped Nachiket's arm excitedly; he looked down to see her face all lit up, her eyes shining in amazement and happiness. It was almost as if her irises were changing colour flecks, reflecting in turn the colour palette that Nature lay down in front of them.

Her entire being felt happy and liberated out there.

Hearing the sound of water gurgling from an alcove nearby, Ragini then turned around and started running towards the spot calling for Nachiket.

Come on, let's go and explore', her hair flying.

Nachiket didn't remember her taking her slippers off; they were now dangling carelessly from her fingers as she floated around.

Nachiket joined her in flight and together, they found a small brook, which merrily danced on it's downward journey over a bed of rocks.

They stood together beside the singing brook, her head lazily reclined over his heart; his chin grazing the side of her head.

After a while, Ragini looked up at him and whispered This is it Nachiket. We belong together for all times to come - this is the universal truth. Something we may not see in front of us everyday, but it exists. This communion of our souls. Even if it means that I have to forgive you for each and every of your idiosyncrasies on a daily basis'.

She laughed out aloud. He had smiled down at her, his arms woven protectively around her waist as she had bent backwards, onto the flower strewn Kaas Plateau.

Secure in his arms, Ragini slowly regained her composure. Her face was now serious, but her eyes shone intensely as she tiptoed to kiss her husband.

Nachiket was her Sun; she was the sunflower facing him always. For eternity.

...

Present time

Ragini flipped the diary shut which she had found inside one of her old boxes, stuffed up in the loft. It mainly held stuff from her college days. She had stumbled upon the diary while searching for an old telephone directory, which had contacts of some friends from college. She was tentative about the functionality of those numbers, but had still decided to check.

And then she had stumbled upon the diary. With her heart beating wildly, she had opened the diary and come upon a dried stem of a sunflower, which opened the floodgates of her memories, memories which kept her warm in otherwise chilly, lonely nights.

Clutching the dried stem, she had finally allowed herself to cry her heart out - tears which had for long dried up, which now found their ways down her cheeks, like that elusive bubbling brook.

Kissing the stem lightly, she placed it inside the diary once again and locked it up in the box up there in the loft, once again.

As she walked into her room and closed the door behind her, Ragini realized in an instant, that whatever their situation and wherever they were, Nachiket would remain her Sun. Always.

...